Facebook bans far-right group Britain First for ‘inciting hatred against minorities’

Facebook has banned UK far-right group Britain First, saying the organization repeatedly broke the social network’s standards by sharing content “designed to incite animosity and hatred against minority groups.” The official Britain First Facebook page has been taken down, as have the official (but not personal) pages for the group’s leader, Paul Golding, and deputy leader, Jayda Fransen.

In a blog post, Facebook said it had warned the group about its posts to no effect, and that the ban was not a decision it took “lightly.” “We are an open platform for all ideas and political speech goes to the heart of free expression,” said Facebook. “[But] there are times though when legitimate political speech crosses the line and becomes hate…